Independent Media

Independent media plays a vital role in strengthening democracy by producing widely accessible information free of institutional bias, promoting transparency and accountability, and raising awareness against authoritarianism. IRI supports media development so citizens have access to accurate and timely information.

Two men sit on a bench with a camera pointed at them to talk about independent media efforts

Independent media plays a vital role in strengthening democracy by producing widely accessible information free of institutional bias, promoting transparency and accountability, and raising awareness against authoritarianism. IRI supports media development so citizens have access to accurate and timely information.

Citizens rely on independent media to understand the world, engage in politics, and make informed decisions. IRI supports media development by training independent journalists on basic reporting techniques, investigative research, media ethics, and physical and digital security. IRI also provides support to independent news outlets to bolster their marketing and business development strategies and help create links between independent media outlets to expand their outreach, revenue, and financial sustainability.

IRI supports civic education designed to improve media literacy and critical thinking skills, and trains activists and youth groups in citizen journalism, so that they can report and disseminate news through social media and other channels. IRI focuses on audiences by doing media literacy training and works with independent media outlets on their traditional and digital distribution plans and acts as a conduit between local journalists, news consumers, and global social media platforms.

Information Integrity

IRI focuses on increasing the availability and distribution of accurate, reliable information. IRI helps democratic activists and leaders best respond in their local contexts; IRI then supports scaling and sharing these best practices globally. IRI supports a wide range of media outlets and citizen groups so that they can produce and disseminate impartial news through a network of online, print, and social media outlets.

Citizen Journalism

Citizen journalism allows people to participate in democracy-building and accountability in their communities. IRI provides training to citizen groups, democratic activists, and young people on the tools and techniques necessary to capture and share important stories. Citizen journalists can also spark dialogue on the content they produce, strengthening communities’ democratic participation.

Open Data and Investigative Journalism

In many countries, entrenched corruption, weak oversight, and poor access to public information contribute to the conditions that allow transnational criminal organizations to flourish. Reporting on corruption or other forms of crime can be dangerous, and journalists often face threats while investigating and publishing their findings. Reporters working in such environments need comprehensive training on investigative journalism, the sociology of corruption, and digital and personal security.

To improve accurate reporting on corruption, IRI uses training and exchange programs to strengthen journalists’ and media organizations’ investigative skills. IRI also supports the development of a transnational network of journalists and citizen leaders who can help each other push for better government accountability. 

Multi Modal Media Awareness

As digital and web-based platforms have proliferated, the role of traditional media has narrowed. This development has presented its own challenges and opportunities for democracy and development. IRI works with a wide range of partners to make sure that technology plays a responsible role in citizen engagement by creating channels for the democracy community to share observations and concerns with the technology industry.

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